Published September 8 2022
Welcoming Week, a national celebration of inclusion, is Sept. 9-18 this year, with the theme “Where We Belong.” Eastside cities and community organizations are hosting several events over the week.
Welcoming Week Events
Celebrate Bellevue
Presentation about Bellevue’s history from the Eastside Heritage Center and musical performances at the North Bellevue Community Center 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10. Food for sale from a taco truck. Lawn games and arts and crafts.
The program is free, but advance registration is required.
Northwest Ukrainian International Festival
Also on Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Crossroads Park, the festival will celebrate Ukrainian customs, including traditional clothing and crafts.
The largest Ukrainian festival on the west coast, cosponsored by the city since 2016, will feature authentic Ukrainian food, with vendor booths of local businesses and activities for children, including inflatables, games and a trout fishing pond. Bands, soloists and choirs will perform on a stage. Northwest Ukrainian Festival
Bellevue Welcomes All at Mini City Hall
Introduction to services provided by the city and partner organizations at Mini City Hall at the Crossroads shopping center, Monday, Sept. 12, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Services include employment and entrepreneurship assistance, Medicare counseling and computer coaching.
For more information, Mini City Hall staff are available at 425-452-2800 and minich@bellevuewa.gov.
Cultural Conversations: Where We Belong
Cultural Conversations, the regular gathering of Eastside women of varied backgrounds, begins a new season of storytelling and connection with “Where We Belong” Tuesday Sept. 13, 1-2:30 p.m. at Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St.
Attendees will participate in interactive exercises and storytelling, exploring what they’ve learned during the past two years of pandemic and what practices for gathering and welcoming work best today. Please contact Neighborhood Outreach (neighborhoodoutreach@bellevuewa.gov or 452-452-6836) to reserve a seat.
Other events
The City of Bellevue’s Welcoming Week webpage and the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition each have listings of several Welcoming Week events happening in the area, some of which are not featured here. Events sponsored or cosponsored by the City of Bellevue are included.